Saturday, November 27, 2010

Volvo's Pedestrian Warning System

Volvo has always had safety in mind when designing their vehicles, and their Pedestrian Warning System is no exception. The system is able to detect pedestrians and apply full braking pressure automatically if the driver fails to do so. It is a concept which Volvo hopes will prevent low-speed pedestrian injuries and fatalities altogether, and reduce the impact speed of higher-speed accidents.

However, there is a margin of error that is evident after watching some testing videos of this system. Don't get me wrong, any prevented accidents are better than someone getting hit, so I think Volvo is on the right track with this innovation, but it's funny to see technology when it fails.

Back in September, Volvo was demonstrating its system when their vehicle failed to recognize and stop before a dummy on three separate occasions. To give them a bit of credit, they did have 650 trouble-free demonstrations. Even the video crew thought it was funny though, as you can hear laughter at the end of the video.



I realize what Volvo is trying to accomplish with this technology - reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities - but can it ever be foolproof?

This isn't the first time Volvo has had problems occur during safety demonstrations. They seem to have bad luck with their tests when the cameras are rolling! I found this one especially humorous since it was a somewhat public event.



Overall, I give Volvo credit for their ingenuity and hard work when it comes to accident avoidance and overall safety, but their newest technology still needs some work.

42 comments:

  1. I would never try a Volvo after seeing this. It looks dangerous!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Do they have some technology to detect Volvo drivers and immobilize them somehow?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Faulty brakes? They really need to fix that then, don't they?

    ReplyDelete
  4. lmao
    volvo produces the safest cars, bro
    ever did and 'til now is doing; they invented the 3-points safety-belt; i'm not sure if they invented the airbag too, but the first large scale car produced with it was a volvo too
    the difference is that...
    forgot my point...
    whatever (N)

    ReplyDelete
  5. @Shimizu

    I'm aware of Volvo's safety leadership in the auto industry, but my post is focused around their more recent technology. object recognition and computerized braking are much different than seatbelts and airbags.

    ReplyDelete
  6. this kind of technology is very difficult to perfect, volvo just needs more time

    ReplyDelete
  7. Excellent work Volvo. who cares if it works. Maybe it will lower my insurance rates ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think 3 out of 650 is perfect. Those 3 are the dumb kids that would grow up to be worthless anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  9. My dreams of driving blindfolded have taken another step back.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Well its getting there. one day they will get it right

    ReplyDelete
  11. hivemind man, when we can integrate hivemind into every car on the road, and they all drive themselves. just get in hit go and it takes you there. they should make it mandatory that you have to understand the concept of what is going on before you get into a car. i hate how they are making everything so mindless these days. making everyone lazy and stupid.

    ReplyDelete
  12. God it must have been awkward for the announcer in the second video

    ReplyDelete
  13. Interesting, and I agree with you. This needs to improve.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm pretty sure Volvo is working on Vacu-Tube travel via Futurama. :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow! Technology never ceases to amaze me e__e

    ReplyDelete
  16. Be nice if the other companies would use some of these safety features lol.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Any news on the google "autopilot" camera controlled cars front? I could really use a ride home from the bar.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Useful but I can see a lot of potential for pranksters and troublemakers here.

    Jumping out in front of cars all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  19. It sucks that these vids were leaked, but damnit they were funny!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. i dont like accidents;) spp u ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Can you imagine what Volvo was thinking when these tests failed to a public audience? I can imagine the look of shame on their faces.

    ReplyDelete
  22. cool post ! i like it, wach my blog to.

    ReplyDelete
  23. nice job from volvo !

    ReplyDelete
  24. lol, not looking good for volvo then...

    ReplyDelete
  25. Still Volvo spends more percent of profits on safety development than any other company( or at least that was a few years ago) .

    ReplyDelete
  26. i hope they can accomplish what they're goin for.

    ReplyDelete
  27. You could hear the tires squeak just too little too late. Sounds like they just need to have the camera (or however the person is detected) aimed up a bit. Nice blog bud. Following.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I think one day soon cars will drive themselves.

    ReplyDelete